The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
EDITORIAL 8rtets.
BY REV. I. M. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton, N. Y.


Mr.. Jonas Clark, of Worcester. for the
proposed Clark University, indicate lib
eral soul and sufficiently liberal appre-
c1atlon OF the material requirements for
a great institution of learning. But the
remarks submitted by Mr.. Clark to the
Board OF Trustees strike us as slightly
ncoherent and hazy. If he has studied
the subject OF education in general, or
University education in particular, it is
plain that he has not mastered it. man
having large sum of money which he
wishes to bestow on education should
call to his aid some first class educator,
and mature his plans under the wisest
direction, in the light of the largest expe-
rience. Millions have been wasted in
costly and impractical educational expe-
riments.
-Ihe departure from among us of the
benign presence of DR.. Adams is an event
TO awaken universal and tender regret,
We have never had minister who WAS
more alive with the very spirit and power
OF his faith. He embodied Universalism,
lie was living epistle. In him was the
light OF his religion, and that light was
the life of the people to whom he minis
tered. Like the sanity John Boyden, he
mad remarkable gift of prayer. We
remember occasions when others spoke
and John G. Adams prayed; and while
the speakers have long since faded from
our recollection, the prayer remains fresh
In memory, the very accents lingering
with us, and the spirit of it renewing us
after many years. Peace to thee, man of
Godl
-Ihe editor of the Kansas City Times
Is alarmed for the family-"the bulwark
OF liberty and the adamantine founda-
ton of the State"-because a certain wife
dlsregarded her husbands wishes and
took to the stage. He is full of doleful
forebodlngs as to the future of both Iib-
erty and the State, and suggests that
more power ought to be given TO the
head of the family. In the days when
giants were, the wives were home women
and were perfectly obedient." Does the
editor mean that the wives were formerly
giants and that the women were perfectly
obedlent IN consequence? Are men nio-
mics now? and is that the cause of the
lnsubordination of their wives? What was
the cause of the deterioration of the
giants? And what can be done about il
any way? Perhaps the mems turn TO he
perfectly obedient has come. Nav the
editor of the Times have grace tn act b;s
part like a man.
1t IS to be hoped that Prof. Huxley
Us more careful In his use of facts than he
sometimes is in his use of fipures. Tn
his reJoinder to the Duke of Argyll, in
re Sir Charles Lyell, he makes the period
between l940 and 1856 six-and-twentv
years" In the same paper are some
other things hard to be understood. This
for instance, SIT is law of natnre that
straight line is the shortest distance be-
tween two points" 1t is a fact in nat
ure and law of mind, we should rather
say. Again, Mr.. Huxley says it is law
OF nature that all men are mortal, hnt
that death is not necessary" We sun-
pose ne means mot necessary" to thought,
but what has this to do with its necessity
in fact?
The Independent is thoroughly COM
mitted to the conservative side in the
controversy as to future probation. From
Its foundation the paper has been the or
gan and champion of progressive ortho-
doxy. Now it becomes reactionary, loses
its place, and falls in at the tail of the
regular procession of orthodox organ
grinders. The interest of its special con-
stltuency-the constituency it's liberal
attitude and catholic spirit created--wiu
steadily diminish. 1t must look hence
forth for its support to its new allies. II
Is no longer leader, but a follower of
religious thought But the field it for
sakes is already occupied. The cause
marches on whatever becomes of the old
torch bearers.
There is one line of industry in which
it is clear that competition will always be
stronger force than co-operation-the
newspaper business. 1t is the life OF
newspaper, not that it keeps and sells
what others keep and sell, and at the
same price, but that it has fresher, fuller,
racier news than any of its esteemed con-
temporariee. Another feature depends
on the stimulus of competiion-the cir
culation. 1t seems to be the chief ambi-
ton of all the leading newspapers to
"build up great circulation" Circula-
ton Is now taken-most fallaciously as
the test of merit. Mr.. Dana speaks of
the strides the newspaper business has
made IN recent years. If it should stride
less it might stand better.
If the ideal state of the world is one
In which there shall be no more contro-
Versy, because all will see the truth and
VIII cease to dispute about if, we may be
sure that the goal is far away. One has
only to become acquainted with the lit
erature OF any department of human ae-
tivity to learn that there are very few
things in which any class is agreed. Read
the journals Of mining or engineering, of
chemistry or biology, of agriculture or
architecture, Of fashion OF department. Of
sporting or labor, and you will find that
the experts in all these lines differ as